Associated Press' relation with newspaper members grows tense
Posted by Kelley Vendeland on February 18, 2008 at 4:57 PM
In the wake of declining print circulation and with increasing numbers of readers seeking free news online, the relationship between the Associated Press and its member newspapers is being tested like never before, according to Forbes.
AP content accounts for 40% of more of newspapers’ daily news production; however, with continually updated AP content available online, AP is also contributing to the digital news wave that seems to harm the newspaper business (its deal with Google News certainly didn't ease its relationship with members).
Newspapers’ private complaints with AP have become public in the past few months, as many newspapers complained about the agency's new pricing policy.
"They're good people,'' says Ben Marrison, editor of The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio, of AP. "They mean well, but I don't think they fully comprehend what we're facing."
Although some editors feel like AP is sabotaging the newspaper industry, whether intentionally or not, AP Board chairman Dean Singleton contends that such complaints represent only a minority of members.
In the past decade, AP has moved to make itself less reliant on income from print sources, foraying into broadcast video and online initiatives. As of late, AP has worked to upgrade its financial and entertainment news; in 2004, Yahoo! became the first client for its upgraded AP Financial News service.
Thanks to online ventures and partners with international newspapers, AP has kept itself relatively independent from the economic struggles of American newspapers. The economic issues of its American members prompted AP to announce a rate restructuring for 2009, although Forbes reports that some papers have dismissed the cuts are insufficient.
Financial pressures have even led some newspapers to discuss terminating their AP subscription altogether. Some already have although the specific motivations vary in each case. Regardless, AP and member publications are in the process of negotiating a new means of co-existing.
“The old model is broken,” said Blade Executive Editor Ron Royhab. “I think everything is open to discussion.”
Source: Forbes.com
AP content accounts for 40% of more of newspapers’ daily news production; however, with continually updated AP content available online, AP is also contributing to the digital news wave that seems to harm the newspaper business (its deal with Google News certainly didn't ease its relationship with members).
Newspapers’ private complaints with AP have become public in the past few months, as many newspapers complained about the agency's new pricing policy.
"They're good people,'' says Ben Marrison, editor of The Columbus Dispatch in Ohio, of AP. "They mean well, but I don't think they fully comprehend what we're facing."
Although some editors feel like AP is sabotaging the newspaper industry, whether intentionally or not, AP Board chairman Dean Singleton contends that such complaints represent only a minority of members.
In the past decade, AP has moved to make itself less reliant on income from print sources, foraying into broadcast video and online initiatives. As of late, AP has worked to upgrade its financial and entertainment news; in 2004, Yahoo! became the first client for its upgraded AP Financial News service.
Thanks to online ventures and partners with international newspapers, AP has kept itself relatively independent from the economic struggles of American newspapers. The economic issues of its American members prompted AP to announce a rate restructuring for 2009, although Forbes reports that some papers have dismissed the cuts are insufficient.
Financial pressures have even led some newspapers to discuss terminating their AP subscription altogether. Some already have although the specific motivations vary in each case. Regardless, AP and member publications are in the process of negotiating a new means of co-existing.
“The old model is broken,” said Blade Executive Editor Ron Royhab. “I think everything is open to discussion.”
Source: Forbes.com
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